After turning 60, I realized staying active as you age can feel like trying to keep up with a marathon runner who never seems to tire. The reality is that many people find it harder to stay physically active as they age, not because they don’t want to, but because their bodies aren’t cooperating the way they used to. While you can take vitamins and have a regular sleep schedule for a healthier lifestyle, at the end of the day, you still need to be physically active— no matter how much it seems like your body is against it.
But honestly, there are secret weapons you can add to your toolkit to make staying active easier and, of course, enjoyable. So, with that all said, here are four secret weapons you might want to try.
Find a Chiropractor You Can Trust
As everyone ages, stiff muscles and aching joints become part of the daily routine for many. But this doesn’t have to be your story. A chiropractor can be one of the best-kept secrets to staying active. And chiropractors do more than just crack your back; many of them offer cupping, massage, accupuncture, and other modalities that help ease the aches and pains of aging.
Regular chiropractic adjustments help ensure your spine is aligned and your muscles are not working harder than they should be, which in turn keeps you flexible and free from unnecessary pain. Sometimes, with age, there’s a “stiff as a board” feeling, which only makes it harder to move around and chiropractic care can often help.
Try A Pre-Workout
One of the biggest challenges people face as they age is a lack of energy. The body doesn’t recover as fast, and by the time you’re done with your daily tasks, working out can feel like climbing Mount Everest. But do you know about pre-workout?
Here’s the thing: Even younger people can struggle with working out due to a lack of energy, and many of them drink pre-workout powder so they can push themselves. Preworkout is usually a powder you mix it with water, and drink BEFORE your workout.
Choose Fun Exercises
Staying active doesn’t have to feel like a chore, especially when you’re doing exercises that actually bring you joy. This is where people get it wrong and keep getting it wrong. Why waste time doing something you dislike, right?
So, one of the biggest secrets to staying physically active with age is finding exercises you genuinely enjoy. If you hate Zumba, Pilates, or any other trendy workout, the solution is simple—don’t do them. Yes, that’s right, just don’t even bother with them! Instead, find something that you enjoy. Exercise should never feel like a punishment; it should feel like something you look forward to, and all you need to do is something that you’ll actually be fun.
Consistent Recovery
Sure, it’s generic, but you better believe this is true, and yes, it’s still a secret weapon! As we get older, it’s easy to feel like once you’ve finished a workout, the hard part is over—but what you do afterward is just as important.
So, just taking the time to stretch after a workout, using foam rollers to massage sore muscles, and even incorporating rest days into your routine is crucial for long-term success. Our gym has a recovery area and I regularly take advantage of the hydromassage, the cryochair and the stretching apparatuses. And I use my Ekrin massage gun nightly to help with recovery and muscle soreness.
